I think we got to keep 4 TE's, especially with all the 2+ TE sets we run. I would concur with the 4 you point out. Problem is, we'll need to make room elsewhere on the roster I think. Perhaps we go 4 RB, or 5 WR...not sure how we make room for the talent on the roster, but there will be some good players cut for sure. Another option at TE is to keep a guy like Maneri. Although an OL, he could line up as TE, be your massive blocking TE + provide OL depth.

Crumpler from what I have read is not 100% healthy and that is why he's not on the roster. As good as Smith seems to be, if Yeatman is outplaying him it's not out of the ordinary for BB to cut a draft pick in favor of a undrafted guy.

4-Gronkowski, Hernandez, Smith, Yeatman. Shame about Crumpler being injured,would've liked to have seen him back this season. Also agreed that Maneri will be on this team as a backup tackle, Levoir goes.

I'm rethinking my prior post on this. I said keep 4 TE's previously. I want to know switch that to 3, with either Smith or Yeatman (if clearing waivers) go to PS.

This is going to be a tight roster, lots of quality cuts. I thiink one way to open another roster spot is to use Maneri more as your big blockign TE. We could even release him time to time to catch to keep D's honest. He after all was a converted TE, so you know he has some skills in that department.

We could go with just Gronk and Hernandez, and Maneri fills in time to time when we want to run 2-3 TE set's. He provides much bigger (6'6", 290)and better blocking capability than Smith or Yeatman, so why not? If you can have an extra OL that is athletic like Maneri on the end of the line, with an extra 20 lbs or so, I'd do it.

So, Maneri in essence becomes your "swing" guy. Blocking TE, depth at Tackle. he sees the field more, and frees up a roster spot. The kid was still catching passes as a TE as recent as 2009. So, he provides some versatility there as well.

I think we'll have three TEs: Gronk, Hernandez (who's a hybrid receiver), and either Yeatman or Smith (with the other hopefully ending up on the practice squad). Maneri (and maybe even Solder) will play in a third tackle or extra TE role too, I suspect. If Hernandez was a bigger, better blocker, I could see us going with just two TEs, but with Hernandez not being a true blocking TE, I think we'll want to keep either Smith or Yeatman.

I don't think we keep 4 TE's, just doesn't seem like a good use of limited roster space. I suspect BB keeps three, its too early to tell if its going to be Smith or Yeatman that stays.

Do you keep an extra TE like Smith or say a depth player at DE/DT like Brace? Or a WR/KR like tate? Or edelman? I don't know if its worth keeping a 3rd blocking TE when we could possibly use Maneri or Solder in that limited role to block.

I think we'll have three TEs: Gronk, Hernandez (who's a hybrid receiver), and either Yeatman or Smith (with the other hopefully ending up on the practice squad). Maneri (and maybe even Solder) will play in a third tackle or extra TE role too, I suspect. If Hernandez was a bigger, better blocker, I could see us going with just two TEs, but with Hernandez not being a true blocking TE, I think we'll want to keep either Smith or Yeatman. Posted by prolate0spheroid

Your probably right on this, but I'm wondering why keep a pure blocking TE, when you could easily bring in Maneri or Solder who are bigger and probably better blockers than both Smith and Yeatman? By keeping Yeatman and/or Smith, you give up another roster spot for a pure blocker, when you have that in Maneri or Solder as you point out. I think the great thing about the guys being mentioned is versatilty, which should create the ability to be creative in terms of the roster. THeoretically, we could keep 3 TE's, and 1 less WR in that Hernandez could also play that role, or keep 2 TE's, and use Maneri/Solder as your 3rd and 4th respectively.

My point is if we are running more 4+ man DL fronts, and given we have some quality depth there, I want to keep an extra DL or two.

yeatman is the uda that will make saquad this year...the problem is that if yeatman is cut... someone will def grab him... we have several of those type players but mike reiss has a pretty good projected roster breakdown...but yeatman aint in it...

I'd guess three, and hopefully they can get someone on the practice squad as insurance/development guy. I haven't seen enough of Yeatman or Smith to have an informed opinion, but just read Bedard and he thinks Yeatman is the better overall TE.

Yeatman has been a big suprise at camp. He's nearly identical to Gronkowski in terms of measureables. He's 6-6 1/2 and 275lbs. He runs a 4.75 40. The knock on Lee is his speed 4.9 40. Lee seems to have great hands and is a superb blocker, but he runs like a lineman. Yeatman is a great athlete, being a lacrosse player. He should be very good at positioning his body against defenders. That could make him a very good tight end. He may not be as good a blocker as Lee, but Maneri should be able to contribute in that role. But it all comes down to Belichick, never know what direction he's going in. I remember when Terrence Nunn came out of nowhere and seemed to outperform most of the WR's in camp and still ended up getting cut.

I concur that 4 will be the number,but I don't know where the cuts will come from. I think BB will try and trade off a WR or two and maybe deal away a couple of his D-linemen. Also if they don't keep 4 they will lose either Smith or Yeatman however they will bring Crumpler as the guy that gets away replacement.